Initial results of Monday's referendum in the Kurdish autonomous region of Iraq indicate overwhelming support for independence.

 

Kurdish media said early results put the yes vote at 90 percent. Iraq's central government has condemned the vote and said it was unconstitutional. Baghdad sent troops to southeast Turkey today to take part in military exercises in the Kurdish-majority region. Turkey has said the vote raised the risk an ethnic war and has threatened to take military and economic measures. Russia and the United States have opposed the referendum.